Big Ten Season Openers
Big Ten Football Opens Season With Strong Contender Performances And Record Displays
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Key Points
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Washington opened its season with an Apple Cup victory over Washington State, while Minnesota routed Eastern Illinois 59-7 and Maryland shut out Hampton 62-0.
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Michigan narrowly defeated Western Michigan 13-12 in a controversial game that continued to draw attention because of the so-called “One Second Game.”
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USC quarterback Jayden Maiava completed 23 of 25 passes for 349 yards and three touchdowns against Fresno State, producing a 92.0% completion rate—the highest single-game mark by a USC quarterback since at least 1995 with a minimum of 25 attempts.
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Penn State defensive end Caleb Bacon recorded all six of his tackles in the first half against Marshall, including three tackles for loss and a solo sack.
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Penn State entered 2026 with the No. 4 transfer-portal ranking from Rivals; coach Matt Campbell also brought Iowa State quarterback Rocco Becht to Happy Valley as part of the roster rebuild.
The Big Ten football season opened with dominant performances across the conference. Ohio State crushed Ball State 56-3, while Penn State began the Matt Campbell era with a 45-0 rout of Marshall. SiriusXM ranked Ohio State, Indiana, Oregon, and USC among the conference's strongest early contenders heading into week two.
Penn State enters 2026 as a second-tier Big Ten threat after a difficult 2025 campaign, according to Penn State's odds analysis. The Nittany Lions rank behind several conference rivals in College Football Playoff odds, though coach Campbell brought in Iowa State quarterback Rocco Becht and ranked fourth nationally in transfer-portal acquisitions.
Ohio State, Oregon, USC Make Early Statement Wins
Ohio State's 56-3 demolition of Ball State announced the Buckeyes as a playoff contender. But the real test comes next week at Texas, a game that will reveal if Ohio State can compete with the nation's elite. Oregon narrowly escaped Boise State 34-27 in a closer-than-expected matchup, according to SiriusXM, while USC moved to 2-0 and continues to build momentum under quarterback Jayden Maiava.
Jayden Maiava Sets USC Quarterback Completion Record
USC's Jayden Maiava had a historic night against Fresno State, completing 23 of 25 passes for 349 yards and three touchdowns. His 92.0% completion rate stands as the highest single-game mark by a USC quarterback since at least 1995 with a minimum of 25 attempts. The performance earned Maiava Big Ten honors and showcased one of the conference's most talented offensive arms.
Defensive Standouts Shine in Week One Blowouts
Penn State defensive end Caleb Bacon dominated against Marshall, recording all six of his tackles in the first half. Bacon added three tackles for loss and one solo sack in the runaway victory. UCLA's Ta'Shawn James earned defensive honors, while Minnesota returner Javon Tracy scored two punt-return touchdowns in a single game against Eastern Illinois. The Gophers won 59-7.
Big Ten Teams Dominate Across the Board
Washington won the Apple Cup against Washington State in the conference's only rivalry matchup. Maryland shut out Hampton 62-0 in the most lopsided game of the weekend. Michigan narrowly defeated Western Michigan 13-12 in a controversial finish that echoed the so-called "One Second Game" from last season. These wins show the Big Ten's depth beyond Ohio State and the other elite contenders.
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